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ambo

ambo

5 9.9
A raised platform in a church where someone reads the Bible or gives a sermon
  • noun
  • /ˈæmboʊ/
  • Jargon
translation icon : ambo
  • The plan of the ambo at the Hagia Sophia.

Examples

  • The ambo at St. Mark's Basilica, Venice.

    Blog text (15)
  • The ambo is essentially a large, raised platform whence clergy can address an assembly.

    Blog text (15)
  • We need an ambo in here now.

  • The upper part of the ambo is described to the left, and the lower part to the right.

    Blog text (15)
  • Parts of the Church Building: the Ambo

    Blog text (15)
  • The ambo has been developed in all sorts of ways over the centuries, so you will find a great deal of variation on the basic motif.

    Blog text (15)
  • A pulpit is an elevated platform with a book-desk, while an ambo can in fact contain more than one pulpit.

    Blog text (15)
  • The Gospel ambo at San Clemente (where else?) on the patronal feast day.

    Blog text (15)
  • As lovely as these pieces are, they are but a pale shadow of St. Germanus’s ambo at the Hagia Sophia, perhaps the most beautiful ever constructed.

    Blog text (15)
  • The pastor stood at the ambo to deliver his sermon to the congregation.

Synonyms

podium
vsambo
118 3.8

A small raised platform someone stands on to speak or receive an award

is a church fixture for reading scripture or delivering sermons
pulpit
vsambo
78 5.1

A raised platform in a church where a preacher speaks to the people

is placed in a church for reading scriptures or sermons
stump
vsambo
  • US
33 7.5

A raised place where someone stands to give a public speech

is reserved for church readings of scriptures or sermon delivery
dais
vsambo
  • Formal
17 7.6

A raised platform at the front of a room for important people to stand or sit on

is mainly used inside a church for liturgical readings and sermons
soapbox
vsambo
16 6.6

A raised platform someone stands on to speak to a crowd

is a formal church reading place used for scriptures and sermons
rostrum
vsambo
3 7.1

A raised platform where people stand to speak or be seen

is limited to church use for reading scriptures and sermons
minbar
vsambo
2 9.9

A raised platform in a mosque where the prayer leader gives sermons

is the church platform used for scripture readings or preaching
bimah
vsambo
  • Jargon
1 9.9

A raised platform in a synagogue where people read the Torah and lead services

is a church platform specifically for scripture or sermon readings
bema
vsambo
1 9.9

A raised area in a church or synagogue where religious leaders stand to speak

is specific to a church, used for reading scriptures and sermons

Surface Forms

ambo singular
ambos plural

Etymology

Ambo comes from the Greek word ambon, which meant 'a raised place' and came from a verb meaning 'to go up'. So an ambo is the raised platform you climb to read or speak from in a church.